May 16, 2008

Wind Power Circa 2030

The AP reports this week that a study by the Energy Department indicates that wind power could generate 20% of the nation's electricity by the year 2030, the same portion currently produced by nuclear reactors. Right now wind energy accounts for roughly 1% of the country's electricity.

The report indicates that electricity has the potential to be generated for less than half a cent per kilowatt hour using wind turbines. To reach the 20% share, there'd have to be more than 75,000 new turbines installed as well as a major expansion of the power grid as electricity from high wind generating areas to places where the electricity is needed. But it would make a significant difference in the quest for renewable energy.